Green Procurement

TVA practices sustainable acquisition, or buying “green.” We want to do business with suppliers that are environmentally responsible.

That’s why we’re committed to buying products that fall under one or more of the following designations:

Bio-Based: A bio-based product is one determined by the Secretary of Agriculture to be a commercial or industrial product other than food or feed that is composed—in whole or in significant part—of biological products, renewable domestic agricultural (i.e., plant, animal or marine) or forestry materials.

Energy Star: Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy, which promotes the use of certified energy-efficient products and practices.

Environmentally Preferable Products: Environmentally preferable products (EPP) are products or services recognized by the U.S. government as having a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment compared to competing products and services that serve the same purpose.

EPEAT Products: EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) is an application system designed to help purchasers evaluate, compare and select desktop computers, laptops and monitors based on their Environmental attributes. Visit EPA’s EPEAT Program website.

Low Standby Power Devices: Products that use 1 watt of power of less during standby (“sleep”) mode. DOE’S FEMP manages this program.

Non-Toxic (or Less Toxic Alternative): Not causing or capable of causing harm to biological entities; also includes less toxic alternatives.

Recycled Content Products: Recycled content products are products that are made from or contain recovered materials. That means replacing virgin materials with recycled materials, including post-consumer materials.

Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program: SNAP is an EPA program that evaluates and regulates substitutes for the ozone-depleting chemicals being phased out by the Clean Air Act. Visit EPA’s SNAP Program website.

Water Efficient Products (WaterSense): Federal agencies must purchase water efficient products. WaterSense is an EPA-sponsored partnership program that seeks to protect the future of our nation’s water supply by promoting water efficiency and enhancing the market for water-efficient products, programs and practices. Visit EPA’s WaterSense website.